Considering a Back-up Generator? Read this.
The brutal combination of a hurricane and a freakishly early autumn Nor’easter has occurred in CT the past two years. Each incident resulted in massive and lengthy power outages, leading more and more homeowners to consider a back-up generator. Having the convenience of a back-up power source to run appliances in your home in these instances can be tantalizing—especially after week.
Another important feature about a back-up generator is its ability to pump water out of your flooded basement, thus minimizing the water damage.
Some important safety tips to keep in mind about generators:
Inspection: Inspect your generator each year before you need to fire it up for the first time.
Repairs: Never try to install or repair a generator yourself. Only a qualified repairman, like one of the men at ServiceMaster of Greater Bridgeport should service a generator.
Common Sense: Keep children and pets well away from a running generator. Parts of the generator can become extremely hot when it’s running, causing serious burns if touched.
Beware of Carbon Monoxide: Generators must be located outside so that deadly carbon monoxide fumes can dissipate safely. Make sure a generator has enough room around it to “breathe” and that it is ventilated properly.
Avoid Water: Generators and water are a bad combination. Be sure that you are standing on dry ground, your hands are dry and that your generator is properly grounded before operating it. Never operate a generator in a flooded basement.
Gasoline Safety: Store gasoline in only approved containers and keep it out of reach of children. Avoid smoking while handling or in the vicinity of stored gasoline. It is also important to have a fully charged and operational fire extinguisher on hand when operating a generator.
Failure to follow safety guidelines can result in damage to your home and/or injury to your family or linesman working in the area. Generators are not a do-it-yourself project. Call us at ServiceMaster of Greater Bridgeport today.
